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Argentina Tango Join us for a thrilling winter escapade. Escape the winter blues and head to South America where February is summer time and that means fun in the sun! We will spend 2nights in tantalizing Buenos Aires, revered as the Paris of South America for its chic elegance and its radiant tango clubs. Visit the spot where Eva Peron uttered the famous “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” speech and enjoy a Tango show and optional tango lesson if you wish. Next, we will enjoy 3 nights in the lush wine country of Mendoza, in the heart of the beautiful Andes Mountains, where we will savor a visit to 3 lush wineries and a thrilling white water rafting excursion, plus a free day to stroll the splendid shops or take a scenic guided hike in the Andes or visit the scenic countryside villages nestled in the mountains. Lastly, we will visit Iguazu Falls with a walk along one of the most powerful waterfalls in the world and an option to enjoy a thrilling boat ride under the falls and a 4x4 jeep safari. If that is not enough fun, join us for our optional 4 day trip extension to Rio de Janiero Brazil for the lavish festival of Carnival. We will enjoy 4 nights of beachfront accommodations with opportunities to soak up all the fun of the most famous festival in the world. Daily Itinerary SATURDAY FEBRUARY 11TH – WE DEPART AT 9PM FROM MIAMI ON LAN ARGENTINA AIRLINES NON STOP FLIGHT TO BUENOS AIRES ARGENTINA. Sunday Feb. 12th – We arrive at 7am this morning in Buenos Aires. Upon arrival we will be met and taken on a city tour. Our city tour features the sights of Buenos Aires, including the eclectic and artsy San Telmo district, the Pink House (government building) which holds the balcony where Eva Peron made her famous teary eyed speech to announce she was dying of cancer. Our tour will also visit the gravesite where she is buried in Recoleta cemetery, the most beautifully adorned cemetery in the world, with tree lined paved walkways, enormous statues and headstones for the wealthy and powerful of Argentina’s past. Following our tour we will be taken to our hotel for the next 2 nights, the Sheraton Liberatador. Enjoy stylish convenience at the Sheraton Libertador Hotel, in downtown Buenos Aires. One of the world’s greatest urban centers, Buenos Aires is as alive during the night as it is during the day. Our ideal location is close to the financial and commercial districts as well as the main stores and theatres, such as the famous Teatro Colon. Come in and feel at home. A warm reception is your first taste of the friendly service to come. Enjoy our full-service business center and state-of-the-art gym with an indoor pool. The Neptune Pool & Fitness Center, with its sliding-glass-pane ceiling enables you to enjoy a magnificent view while making use of the gym, sauna, sun deck or massage parlor. Gaze at the river as you relax with a dip in our indoor heated pool!
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1195 The evening is at leisure to relax.
Mon. Feb. 13th – Breakfast is included at our hotel. Today is a full free day at leisure. You may wish to explore the fabulous shopping in the city known as “The Paris of South America”. You may also wish to take a river cruise on the scenic Tigre River, or take a full day excursion to a ranch to experience the life of the Gauchos. Tonight, if you wish, join us for our Optional tango lesson with dinner & show or enjoy dinner on your own and join us for just the amazing talents displayed in the Tango Show. There is no dance quite like the Tango and this scintillating dance was born in Buenos Aires and you will feel the emotion of the dancers as you witness the passion and energy of this show.
Tues. Feb. 14th – Breakfast is included at our hotel. We will be transferred to the airport for our nonstop Flight to Mendoza, the gorgeous wine country of Argentina, set amidst the fabulous Andes Mountains. Upon arrival we will be transferred to the Sheraton Mendoza Resort and Spa. Located in the heart of Mendoza City in the foothills of the Andes, the brand new 5-star Sheraton Mendoza Hotel is ideally located for exploring one of Argentina's most popular tourist destinations. Relax in our fully equipped Neptune Pool and Fitness Center, with indoor pool, steam and sauna baths, beauty parlors, a pool bar and more. It offers innovative facial and body treatments and massage therapies such as exfoliating treatments. Other features include hydro-massage, Jacuzzi, Sauna, steam baths, and a fully equipped, state-of-the-art gym and aerobics center. http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1733 The balance of the afternoon and evening is at leisure to stroll the chic shops and outdoor cafes of Mendoza. Take time to walk in the five squares, the civic centre, or the foundation area—and stroll among outdoor cafes, shops, and fountains, while taking in the colonial Spanish architecture.
Wed. Feb. 15th – Breakfast is included at our hotel. Today we will enjoy a Full day visit to 3 Wineries & a thrilling Rafting excursion. (rafting duration: 1 hour and 15 mins.) Mendoza is famous for its wines, produced locally. This morning we will visit 3 of these wineries and enjoy tastings at each. This afternoon we will enjoy a thrilling white water rafting excursion amidst the backdrop of the gorgeous Andes Mountains. Dinner is on your own to explore the myriad of dining options in Mendoza. Gourmands, too, will find epicurean delights galore in Mendoza. Overnight at Sheraton Mendoza Resort and Spa.
Thurs. Feb. 16th – Breakfast is included at our hotel. Today is a free day at leisure to explore. Situated at the foot of the Andes, Mendoza is one of Argentina’s most beautiful cities, known for its tree lined boulevards, grand public squares and lush parks Shopping in Mendoza can be quite an enchanting experience for visitors in search of the region’s specialty products, including handicrafts, chocolate, wine, hand brewed beer, leather, and sports goods. In addition to the city’s many sidewalk boutiques and markets, the Mendoza Plaza Shopping and the Palmares Open Mall will satisfy your shopping needs.
Take an optional guided hike in the Andes if you wish, horseback ride in the mountains or stroll the chic shops of Mendoza. Other tours feature visits to Atuel Canyon, or to VILLAVICENCIO, offering stunning landscapes, natural hot springs and views of the mountains. Click the following links to read about 2 of the optional excursions available in Mendoza.
http://www.huentata.com.ar/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=22&Itemid=44&lang=en
There are some Andes trekking tours which can be booked in Mendoza. They will take you up to the Aconcagua (the highest mountain in the Western Hemisphere) National Park for a day of trekking at the foot of the giant mountain range. The hikes will take you past the high mountain lakes up to the suspension bridge which was built for the filming of the movie 7 Years in Tibet. There are also smaller treks in Vallecitos, close to Mendoza if you wish to enjoy the beauty of hiking in the mountains on a smaller scale. Purmarca also offers good short hikes around a scenic village. The nearby areas of Cafayate and Cachi also offer good short hikes for a day of scenic outdoor fun. The valleys around Salta are amazing Mendoza is an ideal base for further exploring the region, with many fascinating sites and towns within easy reach, including the ruins of San Francisco Church, Maipú, El Challao, Villavicencio Thermal Resort, Cacheuta, Potrerillos and Vallecitos It is quite usual to walk around one of the many squares in Mendoza and to find an active social life. Children and adults get together to share quality time in full contact with nature. These squares feature remarkable vegetation, combining modern, European and 19th century architectural styles. They are a must visit for tourists.
Lunch and dinner on own. Overnight at Sheraton Mendoza Resort and Spa hotel.
Fri. Feb. 17th – Breakfast is included at our hotel. This morning we will be transferred to the airport for our flight to Iguazu. Upon arrival in Iguazu we will be transferred to our hotel, the Sheraton Iguazu Resort and Spa. Located at the base of Iguazu Falls, The Sheraton Iguazu Resort and Spa is the only hotel located inside the Iguazu National Park. http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1152
Our spectacular new SEDA Spa features a variety of treatment options in five indoor boxes, four outdoor tents, one internal box for couples, and a Vichy shower. Additionally, we offer a spacious Zen relaxing room, salon, sauna, steam room, and a large hot water whirlpool for therapeutic treatments.
This afternoon, if you wish, enjoy a thrilling excursion, the Grand Adventure, a combination excursion that starts with a 4x4 jeep safari and then takes us on a boat ride under the powerful Iguazu Falls. Get a close up view of the awe inspiring falls and see its power. This excursion offers the most fun you will ever have getting wet! The evening is free to relax at our resort. They even have their own casino for those who are so inclined.
Sat. Feb. 18th – Breakfast is included at our hotel. This morning we will enjoy a walking tour of the Argentinean side of Iguazu Falls. Situated on the border of Brazil and Argentina, the 275 falls plunge over a precipice more than a mile and a half wide with an average drop of 300 feet to the Iguazu River below. Every second, 450,000 gallons of water come tumbling down
The most powerful scene, aptly called “The Devil’s Throat” produces cataracts of streaming water converging to create one of the most powerful scenes you will witness anywhere, with 14 different waterfalls dropping 350 feet with such force that there is always a 100 foot cloud of spray overhead. Watch for the rainbow. You can even take a series of catwalks over the water rushing into Devil's Gorge.
This afternoon we will be transferred to Iguazu Airport. Those not doing our optional 4 day extension to Rio will fly to Buenos Aires, connecting back to Miami with arrival at 7am on Sunday morning. OPTIONAL 4 NIGHT EXTENTSION TO RIO DE JANIERO Passengers going on our optional 4 day extension to Rio de Janiero for the fabulous festival of Carnival will fly nonstop from Iguazu to Rio. Upon arrival, we will be transferred to our hotel, the beach front Sheraton Rio Hotel and Resort. Look out over emerald hills, aqua waters and iconic shores from Rio’s only beachfront resort, perfectly placed between the sand and city. The hotel offers extensive recreational area, spa and amenities. The lush, landscaped grounds are set above a white-sand beach fronting the tropical South Atlantic and flanked by towering mountains.
Lounge in the shade, or splash around in the sun in our three heated pools—including a children’s area—all within view of the beach. Tuesday through Sunday, enjoy afternoon Samba Trio performances from 12pm to 4pm. Dance to Brazil’s most popular rhythm while you soak up the sun.
Open Air Jacuzzi Sheraton Rio Hotel & Resort offers a vast range of fitness equipment and classes, including cardio and weight training, sauna and steam-room, step Brazilian work-out, tae-bo, power stretching, aqua aerobics, all monitored by bilingual, post-graduate instructors. Also for your convenience is a relaxing area with individual lockers and showers.
As a courtesy to our guests, Sheraton Rio provides a complimentary shuttle service between the Hotel and the Rio Sul Shopping Center, with stops along the famous beaches of Leblon, Ipanema and Copacabana.
HOTEL PHOTOS:
Sun-Fat Tues. Feb. 19-21 – Three free days are at your leisure to relax, party and enjoy the many festivities that make Carnival in Rio, one of the world’s greatest festivals! If you wish, you can purchase tickets to the fantastic carnival parades. The Samba Parade is something everybody should experience at least once in their life. The event is broadcast live to several countries. Watching on TV is comfortable but not close to as much fun as being there. Definitely mingle with the crowds and watch the Brazilians and Cariocas (the people of Rio). For the best and full blown experience, you can even march with a samba school.
The costumes are extremely imaginative, colorful, elaborate and detailed. They are truly original, designed and made from scratch each year. They have mirrors, feathers, metallic cloth, silk and sometimes gems or coins. These costumes take months to make. The work starts roughly 8 months in advance. The Samba Parade is a really glorious competition for which the scores are given by the judges
Wed. Feb. 22ND - This morning is at leisure to relax and rest up from last night’s Fat Tuesday celebrations. We will be transferred to the airport for our 2:30pm flight from Rio back to Miami arriving at 5:40am Thursday morning. OUR ARGENTINA TANGO ESCAPE FROM WINTER’S BLUES INCLUDES:
TRIP COST: $2999 + TAX OF $235 (taxes subject to change) Buenos Aires Tango Lesson with Dinner & Tango Show (including private round-trip transfers Iguazu falls speedboat under the falls with 4 x 4 jeep safari: $39 per person
4 NIGHT TRIP EXTENSION TO RIO DE JANIERO FOR THE FESTIVAL OF CARNIVAL INCLUDES:
TOTAL COST: $1499 PER PERSON + $15 TAX (TAXES SUBJECT TO CHANGE) Do you wish to have a single room on the Argentina segment Feb 12-18 (a good value at only $699), but can’t afford the single supplement on the Carnival in Brazil segment of the trip Feb. 18-22 ($1299 supplement) ? Do you wish to save money in Brazil by having a roommate for that segment, while still having a single room on the Argentina segment? Many people like this combination as you have made great friends by the time you reach the Brazil segment and you can thus save money by sharing a room in Brazil with one of your new friends. If you wish to choose this option of single occupancy for the 6 nights in Argentina Feb 12-18 at only a supplement of $699 combined with a roommate assignment on the 4 night Brazil segment Feb. 18-22, just choose the single occupancy option when filling out the reservation form and then list in the comments field that you wish a roommate on the Brazil segment. You will then be assigned to this combination. A $200 deposit is due 7 days after making your reservation: Deposits are refundable if cancelled by Friday Sept. 9th and non refundable thereafter Balance payments are due: Tuesday October 11th and are non refundable
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